Cullen was the longest-serving coach in Super League

Warrington coach Paul Cullen has left the club by mutual consent after Monday's defeat by Castleford.

Cullen played 348 times for the Wolves and took over as coach in August 2002 following a spell with Whitehaven.

But the big-spending club have failed to win any silverware despite numerous high-profile signings.

The Wolves are seventh in the Super League table and were knocked out of the Challenge Cup by St Helens in the last 16 earlier this month.

Cullen had been the longest-serving coach in Super League, with more than five-and-a-half years at the helm.

Assistant coach James Lowes has been installed as a caretaker boss until a permanent replacement has been found.

"Paul is a Warringtonian through and through and nobody has been a more loyal servant to the primrose and blue than Paul," chairman Lord Hoyle told BBC Radio Manchester.

606: DEBATE Just remember what he has done for us - I think he has taken us as far as he can though johnos_wire

"After going to Whitehaven, he returned here and rescued us from a very difficult position in 2002 when he came back.

"He has served the club well and we wish him well in the future.

"Paul is first of all a Warringtonian and secondly he has spent all his life at this club.

"Parting with Paul has not been easy but the results on the field have been disappointing and Paul understands the situation as well.

"We now have to move forward as a club and we have to get a winning side.

"Of course it's a very sad day because Paul has been a legend and now he is leaving. That is very sad indeed - how could it be otherwise?"

Cullen brought star names including Adrian Morley, Martin Gleeson, Matt King, Paul Rauhihi and Vinnie and Louie Anderson to the Halliwell Jones Stadium, while the likes of Kevin Penny came up through the ranks.

But despite the talent at the club, Warrington often flattered to deceive with the Wolves failing to qualify for last year's play-offs.

And the final straw of an inconsistent season came on Monday when Warrington imploded in the final 10 minutes to allow bottom club Castleford to record their first away win of the season.

Supporters staged a sit-in protest after the game - Warrington's sixth defeat in seven matches - and the coach did not attend the post-match press conference.

Cullen had been under severe pressure last season before a late upturn in future earned him a new two-year contract.

He becomes the second Super League coach to lose his job this season after Peter Sharp was sacked by Hull FC last week.